Tata Motors, India’s leader in passenger electric vehicles, will soon become the automaker with the largest fleet of electric vehicles in the country. After launching the Tiago EV, India’s most affordable EV to date, the automaker is now also planning to launch its smallest electric SUV. The Punch SUV, its second-best-selling model in the country, is due to launch its electric incarnation sometime next year.
According to Live Hindustan, Vivek Srivastava, Head of Marketing, Passenger Vehicle Business Unit, Tata Motors recently confirmed that the Punch EV will be launched in India soon. Although he did not reveal too many details about the upcoming electric SUV, the automaker is likely to launch the model in the second half of next year, which is Tata’s second model after the Nexon EV. The Punch EV will be Tata Motors’ fourth passenger vehicle EV, following the Nexon, Tigor and, most recently, the Tiago EV.
Launched in India last year, the Tata Punch SUV is the smallest SUV in the market. Within a year, the Punch rocketed up the sales charts, becoming one of the best-selling SUVs in the United States. Tata Motors is likely to use the ALFA platform as the basis for the EV version of the Punch. In terms of appearance, the electric SUV may not differ much from existing ICE models, barring obvious changes such as a closed grille and EV badge.
According to reports, the Punch EV could feature a DC fast-charging compatible 26 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, similar in size to the one that powers the Tigor EV. The Punch EV could get a 55 kW PMS electric motor that could deliver a maximum power of 74 bhp and a peak torque of 170 Nm. Powered by Tata Motors’ Ziptron technology, the Punch EV is expected to offer a range of about 300 kilometers on a single charge.
Punch EV price expected to be around ¥200,000 more expensive than the high-end ICE version. It will still be more affordable than the Nexon EV and could be the most affordable electric SUV in India. When launched, the Punch EV will take on the upcoming Citroen eC3 EV, which is expected to launch early next year.
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First published date: December 23, 2022 at 12:57pm CST
https://auto.hindustantimes.com/auto/electric-vehicles/after-tiago-ev-tata-plans-to-launch-electric-version-of-punch-suv-41671778212308.html